*The Department for Education (DFE) have recently announced that they intend to freeze tuition fees for the 2018/19 year. This is still subject to parliamentary approval. Once confirmed we will update our web pages accordingly.

Course type

BSc (Hons)

UCAS info

Points required:
112

UCAS code: B940

Institute code: L51

Study mode

About your course

The professionally-accredited BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science at Liverpool John Moores University offers you exciting placement opportunities with our industry partners. The development of advanced laboratory skills are integral to this fascinating degree which covers the broad areas of human bioscience and diagnostic science.

Approved and accredited by the Health and Care Professions Council and the Institute of Biomedical Science

Opportunity to undertake a year’s work placement

May apply to specialise in Applied Biomedical Science with regular pathology laboratory practice

Links with local organisations, such as the Roy Castle Foundation Laboratories for research into lung cancer, Transplant Immunology at the University of Liverpool, many local NHS pathology departments, including those at Alder Hey Children's Hospital, Whiston Hospital and the Liverpool Women’s Hospital, plus companies such as Mast Diagnostics and Eden Bioscience

Lively department with excellent teaching and active research

International Foundation Year course available offering direct progression onto this degree programme - visit LJMU's International Study Centre to find out more

While academically challenging, this course provided me with the broad range of skills required to succeed in the highly competitive scientific job market. First class teaching, first class employability, and a first class student experience.

I never realised the importance of the Skills for Biomolecular Scientists modules while I was at University but now I realise how much of an edge they have given me in both applying for work and in the workplace.

Biomedical Science graduate

Work-related learning

This course is highly vocational with a strong element of work-related learning. For those students who are successful in their application to take the applied biomedical science route, over the three years of your degree, this provides an opportunity to find out what it’s really like to work in a pathology lab. Alternatively the sandwich option provides a year’s work experience in industry, and there are opportunities for shorter periods of work experience. For those students who do not take a work experience placement, the course provides many opportunities to develop relevant skills. Whichever route you take, you will gain invaluable hands-on experience, practising skills you have learnt during the course and boosting your employability, giving you a head start when you eventually enter the competitive graduate job market.

Support and guidance

Dedicated personal tutor plus study skills support

Being able to discuss course-related issues, particularly in your first year, is crucial and for this reason you will receive different kinds of support for specific aspects of your course. A personal tutor will provide continuous support for the duration of your time at LJMU, meeting you regularly in Levels 4 and 5 and setting up one-to-one progress review meetings to monitor and help improve your work.

In the time leading up to and during your placement, you will be allocated a tutor who will visit you in your workplace. If you go down the Applied Biomedical Science route, this role will be covered by a Clinical Placement Facilitator. Finally, once you reach your final year, a supervisor will guide you through your research project.

Course details

The development of advanced laboratory skills are integral to this fascinating BSc Honours degree.

As a Biomedical Science student, you will cover the broad areas of human bioscience and diagnostic science, including medical microbiology, immunology, histology, haematology, medical genetics and cancer alongside basic sciences such as biochemistry, physiology, molecular and cell biology. Laboratory work is an important part of this course, giving you the high-level skills and understanding required of a biomedical scientist by the time you graduate.

You may consider taking the more practical applied biomedical sciences route, in which case we organise visits to hospital labs during your first year to help you decide. Acceptance onto this route is by competitive application. If successful, you will spend about 1,000 hours over three years working in a local pathology laboratory and gaining academic credit for your work-based study.

This will take the form of long summer blocks in a relevant laboratory with further attendance during your final year of study. If you decide not to take this option we encourage you to undertake a year’s work placement or a shorter placement between your second and third years to gain experience.

One of the advantages of being accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Sciences is that you can join the Institute as an eStudent and have access to their resources to help with your course and career development. They also award a prize to the best biomedical science graduate and to other students who have shown particular promise.

What you will study on this degree

Please see guidance on core and option modules for further information on what you will study.

Level 4

Biomedical Skills

Cell Biology

Principles of Biochemistry

Introduction to Biomedical Science

Anatomy, Physiology and Genetics

Microbiology

Level 5

Biomedical Research Methods

Clinical Biochemistry

Immunology and Infection

Perspectives in Biomedical Science

Histology and Physiology

Blood Cell Science

Sandwich degree

Year-long work placement

Level 6

Research Project

Study of Disease 1

Study of Disease 2

Study of Disease 3

The following options are typically offered:

Cancer

Nutraceuticals and Toxicology

Advanced Immunology and Infection

Biomaterials

Work Based Learning

Further guidance on modules

The information listed in the section entitled ‘What you will study’ is an overview of the academic content of the programme that will take the form of either core or option modules. Modules are designated as core or option in accordance with professional body requirements and internal Academic Framework review, so may be subject to change. Students will be required to undertake modules that the University designates as core and will have a choice of designated option modules. Additionally, option modules may be offered subject to meeting minimum student numbers.

Please see the programme specification document for further details on this course.

Teaching and learning

Excellent facilities and learning resources

The number of formal teaching hours varies from module to module. On average you will spend 12-15 hours in lectures, seminars, workshops, lab sessions and tutorials each week. In your final year you will spend approximately half of your time on an independent research project.

If you take the applied biomedical science route, some of your time will be spent in supervised laboratory work with your employer, supported by one-to-one tutorials and small group meetings with your clinical placement facilitator at the university.

Your lecturers

Expert tuition and support

Our highly motivated and qualified staff work hard to ensure the School remains at the forefront of modern research and teaching. They are actively involved with national professional bodies, Higher Education Academy projects and National Curriculum developments, as well as engaging in their own continual professional development and research. Current interests include cancer, toxicology and liver function and disease which all feed into the course content; they are even currently researching the factors that affect student success.

Furthermore, the course provides opportunities to meet inspirational practitioners who will give an insider’s view of working in the field of biomedical science.

Assessment and feedback

Assessment varies depending on the modules you choose

Assessment methods vary depending on the modules you take, but are mostly a combination of exams and coursework, though some are via coursework only. Exams may be multiple choice, short answer, interpretative, problem-based learning or essay-based. Some modules assess practical competence. Applied Biomedical Science students complete a portfolio demonstrating competence to practice.

Coursework assessments may include phase tests, practical reports, data handling, oral presentations, poster presentations, group discussions, essays, portfolios or the evaluation of your practical skills and most are based on individual assignments. Feedback is normally provided within three weeks of submitting coursework and may be via Canvas (our virtual learning environment), face-to-face or in writing. We believe that constructive feedback is vital in helping you identify your strengths as well as the areas where you may need to put in more work.

Entry requirements

Please choose your qualifications below to view requirements

Minimum points required from qualifications

112

GCSE and equivalents

Applicants must have obtained grade 4 or grade C or above in English Language and Mathematics GCSE or
• Key Skills Level 2 in English/ Maths
• NVQ Level 2 Functional skills in Maths and English Writing and or Reading
• Skills for Life Level 2 in Numeracy/English
• Higher Diploma in Maths/ English
• Functional skills level 2 in Maths/ English

A Levels

Minimum number of A Levels required: 2

Subject specific requirements: Chemistry and/or Biology or relevant science. Offers may include a specified grade in a related science.

Is general studies acceptable? No

Are AS level awards acceptable? Acceptable only when combined with other qualifications

Average A Level offer: BBC

Maximum AS Level points accepted: 20

BTEC qualifications

BTEC certificate: Acceptable only when combined with other qualifications

90 credit diploma: Acceptable only when combined with other qualifications

Diploma (QCF): Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications

Diploma subjects / grades required: D*D* if studied on its own or to the total of 112 UCAS points if combined with other qualifications

Extended diploma (QCF): Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications

Extended diploma subjects / grades required: DMM if studied on its own or to the total of 112 UCAS points if combined with other qualifications

Access to Higher Education Diploma

Access to Higher Education Diploma acceptability: Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications

Further information: Access programme must have been taken be in a relevant subject area, minimum of 24 Distinctions and 12 Merits required

International Baccalaureate

International Baccalaureate: Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications

Please Note: All international qualifications are subject to a qualification equivalency check via NARIC.

Finance and fees

Find out more about the student funding that you may be eligible for from either LJMU or the government. This section will give you information about grants and loans as well as targeted support for students with children, adult dependants or those with a disability.

Please note that the amount of money you will receive as a student is dependent on where in the UK you normally live (i.e. England, Wales, Northern Ireland or Scotland).

LJMU scholarships

LJMU's scholarships are open to all new full-time Home and EU undergraduates that are liable to pay tuition fees. These awards are not income assessed, they are based on excellence. If successful, you will be awarded a scholarship for each year of your course subject to satisfactory progress. Scholarships are worth between £1,000 and £10,000 per year. The money you receive doesn’t have to be paid back.

LJMU bursary

The LJMU bursary is automatically paid to eligible students – you do not need to apply for it. The annual bursary is £500, which works out at £1,500 over a three year degree.

LJMU bursaries are means-tested and you don’t have to pay them back; they are intended to help you meet some of the costs associated with being a student.

Tuition fees

In 2018 LJMU will charge Home and EU students a tuition fee of £9,250* for the majority of its full time undergraduate programmes and £6,935* per year for part time courses. You will be charged a fee for each year of your course. The University reserves the right to increase fees up to the maximum permitted by law or government policy in the second and subsequent years of your course. Generally, these fee increases are linked to RPIX inflation (Retail Price Index excluding mortgage interest payments).

*Subject to parliamentary approval.

The important thing to remember is that you don't have to pay your tuition fees upfront - subject to meeting eligibility criteria, you can take out a tuition fee loan for each year of your course.

You can also take out a maintenance or living cost loan for each year of your course to cover your living expenses, such as rent and food.

You don’t start repaying your student loans until after you’ve left university and start earning at least £21,000.** Please note that the Department for Education who govern student support for students from England have recently announced it intends to increase this threshold to £25,000. This remains subject to parliamentary approval and we will update our website once further information is confirmed.

LJMU is committed to ensuring that students understand the full cost of studying at the University. Your tuition fee will cover or contribute to, as appropriate, expenses associated with your core modules, including:

safety equipment, such as lab coats and goggles

uniforms for nurses, paramedics and other professional placements

UK field trips and other educational visits

student exchanges

DBS checks (Disclosure and Barring Service – formerly CRB)

Professional sector regulatory body membership

** Repayment threshold for students normally resident in England and Wales.

Living expenses (maintenance) loan

In addition to your tuition fees, eligible full-time undergraduate students can also apply for a maintenance loan to cover your living costs. If you’re eligible, you can take out a loan for each year of your course.

The amount you’ll receive will depend on where in the UK you normally live and your household income. This money will be paid into your bank or building society account in three instalments and it’s up to you to budget for your living costs.

The government has stated that it intends to introduce a pro rata maintenance loan for part time students from England from the 2018/19 academic year.

Paying back your student loans

You only start repaying your student loans the April after you have graduated or left university and start earning £21,000* or above. Repayments are based on a percentage of your salary not how much you have borrowed from the Student Loans Company. Repayments are currently set at 9% of any income over the threshold (which is currently set at £21,000).* Please note that the Department for Education who govern student support for students from England have recently announced it intends to increase this threshold to £25,000. This remains subject to parliamentary approval and we will update our website once further information is released.

*Repayment threshold for students normally resident in England and Wales.

Career prospects

You will enjoy varied career opportunities both in the UK and overseas with this BSc in Biomedical Science.

Approximately one third of our graduates decide to pursue careers in the pathology and public health laboratory services, providing diagnostic, prognostic, monitoring and other treatment for patients.

Others enter the pharmaceutical industry to work in research and drug development or other laboratory-based careers. Clinical trials fieldwork is also becoming increasingly popular, while some graduates have entered the Health and Safety Executive, medical records and similar occupations. Some students opt to undertake further qualifications before entering employment.

CareerSmart programme

All students in their first year of study will have an opportunity to engage with the CareerSmart programme as an integral part of a core module of study. Once you have completed this, a wide range of other career-related provision and services will be available to support your development throughout your studies.

The new CareerSmart e-learning tool will introduce you to the steps involved in making informed choices about your career. It will enable you to consider your strengths and development areas, your career motivators, the options available to you and the necessary steps to take to achieve your career goals.

Professional accreditation / links

This course is approved and accredited by the Health and Care Professions Council and the Institute of Biomedical Science.

Our links with local hospitals, public health and private laboratories ensure that course content is informed by the latest research and developments in today’s biomedical science industry and tailored to the needs of employers. Our connections include the Walton Centre of Excellence in Neurology and Neurosciences, the Roy Castle Foundation Laboratories for research into lung cancer, Alder Hey Children's Hospital and Glaxo/Wellcome Laboratories.

International Scholarships

Studying at LJMU offers international students excellent value for money and the opportunity to secure an internationally-respected qualification plus outstanding career prospects.

LJMU offers scholarships for international students. The provision and range of these scholarships can change from year to year so it is important that you always check the website for the most up-to-date information. The University also accepts a range of external funding, should you be awarded a scholarship or sponsorship from elsewhere.

International Foundation Year and International Year One programmes

LJMU offers international students the option of completing International Foundation Year and International Year One programmes at the University’s International Study Centre. These courses are managed and taught by Study Group, a world leader in education and training for international students. For more details on the International Study Centre, go to www.ljmuisc.com/

English language qualifications

All international applicants must have an internationally recognised English language qualification, such as IELTS (International English Language Testing Service). Your English language qualification must have been certified within the last two years for verification purposes. LJMU will accept other UKVI-recognised English language tests providing you attain the appropriate level.

This table summarises the minimum scores required by LJMU, although specific course requirements may differ depending on the programme you want to study.

English language support to improve IELTS

If your English language level does not meet the required entry requirements for your course you may still be offered a place on the condition that you successfully complete an English for Undergraduate Study course at LJMU’s International Study Centre.

Tuition fee deposits

International students are liable to pay a minimum deposit of 50% of their tuition fees before their CAS can be issued. The outstanding balance must be paid in full within 4 months of the given enrolment date.

Living Costs

When you apply for your visa or entry clearance, you will need to provide evidence of having enough money to support yourself for the duration of your programme and to pay for all of your living expenses. The good news is that the cost of living in Liverpool is one of the lowest in England, which means your money will go even further, allowing you to enjoy your student experience to the full.

In addition to academic fees, you must budget for living costs such as accommodation, food, clothing, books, local travel and entertainment. UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) states that students studying outside London must have £1,015 per month for a maximum of nine months to cover their living costs.

We estimate that a single student living in LJMU-approved accommodation is likely to need an average of £5,000 to cover just their rent for a full academic year.

Academic Technology Approval Scheme Certificate (ATAS)

If you have applied to study an Enhanced Undergraduate Degree (such as an MEng) course at LJMU, you should check if you require an Academic Technology Approval Scheme or ATAS certificate.

Alternatively, contact LJMU’s International Admissions Team for guidance. It is important to note that, if required, an ATAS certificate must be obtained before your Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies can be released to you.

Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)

Before you can apply for permission to enter or remain in the UK under Tier 4 you will require a valid Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies or CAS. LJMU will only assign a CAS once you have satisfied the conditions of any offer made to you and you satisfy the University’s obligations as a Tier 4 Sponsor. For more details, visit the international students section.

Your visa application

As soon as you have received an offer of a place at LJMU you should contact the Entry Clearance Office at the British Embassy, British High Commission or Consular Office in your own country to check whether you need a visa for entry into Britain. You are advised to do this as soon as you can as the visa application process can take a long time.

Please Note: To obtain an Entry Visa you should go to the British Embassy or High Commission in your own country, and present the following documents:

A declaration of your intent to return home on completion of your course of study

The University may make changes to a programme of study or module where such changes are deemed to be beneficial to students, are minor in nature and unlikely to impact negatively upon students or become necessary due to circumstances beyond the control of the University. Further guidance on programme changes